I have a batch of oatmeal stout made from LHBS ingredient kit in secondary, and I can't get over how light it is in color. I've previously brewed a Nut Brown Ale (with no steeping at all) and an Irish Red Ale (more Amber in color, actually, but within acceptable standards, I think). Well, the stout is lighter than both of them!
It didn't list what specialty grains were specifically in the kit, but I'd assume, being a stout, there was some chocolate malt or black patent malt. I'm beginning to think there wasn't nearly enough of it. And, I really don't know how I could have screwed something up to effect the color. I steeped the grains for 30 minutes at 155-160 F, and "sparged the grain bag until it ran clear. What more can I do?
I'm thinking either the ingredients were measured incorrectly at LHBS, or maybe some grains that provide the opaque color were accidently substituted for some other grain. Then again, maybe it will darken some as it ages??? I'm really clueless on this one.
It didn't list what specialty grains were specifically in the kit, but I'd assume, being a stout, there was some chocolate malt or black patent malt. I'm beginning to think there wasn't nearly enough of it. And, I really don't know how I could have screwed something up to effect the color. I steeped the grains for 30 minutes at 155-160 F, and "sparged the grain bag until it ran clear. What more can I do?
I'm thinking either the ingredients were measured incorrectly at LHBS, or maybe some grains that provide the opaque color were accidently substituted for some other grain. Then again, maybe it will darken some as it ages??? I'm really clueless on this one.